In an urgent measure to prevent Basilan from plunging into darkness, government officials approved yesterday measures to address the persistent energy shortage and stop the local utility’s P4.3-billion debt from ballooning.
Basilan Gov. Mujiv Hataman, Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, National Power Corp. president Jericho Nograles and National Electrification Administration administrator Antonio Almeda discussed the looming energy crisis and multibillion-peso debt of the Basilan Electric Cooperative (Baselco) to the National Power Corp. (Napocor).
Hataman proposed a revised payment scheme between Baselco and Napocor and urged town mayors to support the power firm’s disconnection efforts against delinquent customers.
He underscored the critical power situation in the province with Baselco’s debt reaching P4.3 billion.
The power agencies highlighted the problem of power pilferage, noting that out of 600,000 residents, only 45,000 have operational meters – a disparity that contributes significantly to system losses and electricity pilferage.
Napocor pledged an initial P200 million to rehabilitate the electric cooperative’s infrastructure, part of a larger P600-million commitment.